Kolkali - a folk art

Kolkali, a folk art performed in the north Malabar region of Kerala state, India is considered as a dance form mainly of the agrarian classes. Kolkali literally means dance with sticks as Kol means stick and kali means dance.

It is a rhythmic dance where the performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. As the dance progresses the circle expands and the accompanying music slowly rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax. Featured in this video is a group of men performing Kolkali, the rhythmic dance.